Begin discussing specific criteria for college selection and introduce student to useful tools for college and major research

We Walk Your Student Through College Admissions

Collegewise Counselors Become Your Personal College Consultants

Each family who joins our program is assigned to one Collegewise counselor who schedules regular meetings to help with the most important parts of the college admissions process. For freshmen and sophomores, that might be helping them plan courses and decide which standardized tests to take. For juniors and seniors, that might be helping them pick appropriate colleges or manage all of the applications and college essays. No matter where you are in the process or what you need help with, we’ll guide you towards the best choices for you, help you avoid mistakes, and do it all with just the right mix of advice, encouragement, and even a little cheerleading to make sure everything progresses smoothly and thoughtfully. You’ll never have to look back and regret that you made a mistake or missed something important.

Who can Collegewise help?

If you looked at our student roster, you’d see that our counselors work with “A” students, “C” students, and everyone in between. We work with freshmen just starting high school, sophomores and juniors who are getting prepared, and seniors who are in the throes of the college applications process. Not everyone is a good fit for our program, but if your student wants to go to college, wants our help to get there, and is willing to do the work required, we should be able to help your family.

You handle the curfews—we’ll handle the college admissions deadlines.

Collegewise students submit perfect applications, usually before Thanksgiving, without Mom or Dad having to nag or otherwise be the project manager for their teen. If you’d like us to do the same for you, we’re happy to take on that role. We’ll work closely with your student. We’ll set the deadlines and manage all the steps. And we’ll make sure everything is completed perfectly and submitted well before the deadlines. The most consistent praise we get from former clients is that our students loved being done with applications before all of their friends, and their parents loved never having to be the bad cops.

How much do college counseling programs cost?

Our programs range from $250 for one 1-hour meeting to $4,500-$8,000 (for the vast majority of our programs, depending upon counselor and location) for unlimited assistance for 11th and 12th graders. We also have a number of options in between those two price points. The program you select depends on the age of your student, what kind of help you need, the counselor you choose, and how much assistance you’d like from us.

What makes Collegewise better than the competition?

It’s a fair question, and hard to answer with the right balance of confidence and humility. So let’s start with the humility. We may not be the best choice for your family. We don’t know you or your student yet or what your family is hoping a counselor can do for you. And we won’t know those things until we have an honest exchange about it, which we’re always happy to do. If we don’t think we can turn you into a Collegewise fan who raves about how we changed the process for you, we’ll tell you so. And we’ll even refer you to a competitor who might be a better fit.

Now, here’s what else we can tell you about Collegewise.

Since 1999, over 8,000 families have entrusted us with their students’ college admissions process. Nobody in private counseling helps more kids get into college than we do. Hundreds of current and former customers refer their friends (or bring their younger kids) to us every year. Tens of thousands of people read our newsletters, blog, and our book. Even more have heard us speak at conferences, high schools, and community events. We’re not only growing every year, but also working like crazy to get even better at what we do. The counseling we’re doing today is even better than what we were doing six months ago, and it will be even better six months from now. We’re proud of our company, our team, and what we stand for. And we come to work every day excited about the work we’ll get to do.

If you meet us and we both agree that there’s a good chance we could be successful together, then Collegewise will have the best college counselor for you.

Don’t just take our word for it.

We became the nation’s largest college counseling company by doing our best work with one student at a time, then benefiting from the generous referrals from families who appreciated what we did for them. Talk to your friends and neighbors about their experiences with us. You’ll also see many testimonials throughout our site from customers who shared their generous praise.

Ready to take the first step?

Get started by scheduling a free introductory college consultation. We’re looking forward to meeting your family and discussing your child’s college goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Collegewise’s services cost?

Our programs range from $250 for one 1-hour meeting to $4,500-$8,000 (for the vast majority of our programs, depending upon counselor and location) for unlimited assistance for juniors and seniors. We also have a number of options in between those two price points. Pricing depends on the age of your student, the counselor you choose, and how much assistance you’d like from us. Collegewise counselors customize programs to the needs of each individual student, and we’d be happy to recommend a program that fits your student’s goals.

What’s the difference between the Complete Admissions Program and Pay As You Go?

The Complete Admissions Program covers unlimited college admissions counseling for a student’s junior and senior years. This program is best for students who would like help with the entire college admissions process, starting with selecting best-fit colleges and ending with submitting pitch-perfect college applications and essays. Families who opt for the Pay As You Go program pay counselors for their time in 15 minute increments and can choose how they’d like to spend that time. We’ve found that Pay As You Go is best for families who are looking for help with specific parts of the application process.

What do you mean by "unlimited service" in your Complete Admissions Program? How many meetings does a CAP student typically have?

Students who enroll in our Complete Admissions Program benefit from frequent one-on-one meetings and a customized plan to help them meet their college admissions goals. Counselors will schedule as many meetings as necessary to make the student’s application process a smooth and successful one, and both students and parents can reach out to their counselor between meetings to address any questions or concerns that have popped up in the meantime. CAP students typically have between 12 and 24 hour-long meetings with their counselor, although this varies by student, the number of colleges they choose to apply to, and how much support they need.

Can I switch from PAYGO to CAP if I decide I need more help with the college application process?

Absolutely! If at any point you decide that you would benefit from unlimited service from your counselor, you can upgrade to the Complete Admissions Program—you’d just pay the difference between what you’ve already paid and the price of the Complete Admissions Program.

Do you have a program for eighth, ninth, and tenth graders?

We do! It’s called the Jumpstart program, and it’s designed to help eighth, ninth, and tenth grade students build a strong foundation for the upcoming high school years and the college admissions process. Your counselor will help your student select coursework and activities that will allow your student to explore their interests and set the stage for a successful high school career. Toward the end of the program, your counselor will guide your student through the preliminary stages of the college and major research process, taking into account the criteria that matter most to your family, including cost, size, academic programs, and location.

Can you help my student with college essays?

Absolutely. Students who enroll in the Complete Admissions Program will brainstorm each of their essays with their counselor and submit each essay for rounds of feedback and revision. We also offer several essay packages starting at $200 for students who only want help with essays. To find out more about our essay programs, please reach out to info@collegewise.com, and we’ll match you with an essay specialist who can help you brainstorm and write compelling college essays.

Do you work with transfer students?

We do! Collegewise counselors help transfer students find and apply to their best-fit colleges. We can provide a thoughtful and thorough review of all of your college applications, in addition to helping you conduct college research, build your college list, and brainstorm effective essays. You can reach out to your local Collegewise counselor for more information. If you’d prefer to work with a counselor online, you can find a list of our online counselors here.

Where do you meet with students?

Collegewise counselors typically meet with students in one of our 23 offices throughout the United States or online. Click here to find a counselor near you. If you’d prefer to work with a counselor via Skype, you can read more about our online counselors here.

When is the best time to start a college counseling program?

The best time to start a college counseling program is when you begin to have questions or concerns about the admissions process that you’d like to have addressed by a professional. We begin working with students as early as second semester of eighth grade, so if you’re thinking about hiring a college counselor and your student is an eighth grader or older, you’re in the right place!

What is your success rate?

At Collegewise, we define a successful college match in three parts: the college must be one that fits the student’s interests and career goals, one that will admit the student, and one that the family can afford. Collegewise counselors work with each of their students to conduct a thoughtful college search and to build a college list that takes into account the criteria listed above. The results of this process are clear: five out of six Collegewise class of 2017 seniors are attending one of their top three college choices, and the average Collegewise senior received upwards of $135,000 in total merit aid. Not convinced? Check out our testimonials, which you’ll find on each counselor’s page and throughout the site. You’ll find that our students leave for college more confident and prepared than when they started their college search process, and their younger siblings (and friends) are often next in line to work with our counselors.

What makes Collegewise better than the competition?

Since 1999, over 10,000 families have entrusted us with their students’ college admissions process. Nobody in private counseling helps more kids get into college than we do. Tens of thousands of people read our newsletters, blog, and our book. Even more have heard us speak at conferences, high schools, and community events. We’re proud of our company, our team, and what we stand for. And we come to work every day excited to help our students achieve their goals.

Where does my counselor’s college admissions expertise come from?

Collegewise counselors come from a variety of backgrounds. Many are former admissions officers, high school counselors, and graduate degree holders, and each Collegewise counselor goes through a rigorous 40-hour training with a member of our leadership team before starting a counseling practice. Collegewise counselors also take advantage of what we call the “Hive Mind”—we’re constantly asking each other questions and learning from one another’s areas of expertise. While you’ll always interact with one counselor who knows your family best, your student will benefit from the collective experience of more than 50 Collegewise admissions experts..

How and when do I pay for your services?

Families who choose to enroll in CAP or Jumpstart typically pay the full enrollment fee up front with a credit card or check, although we do offer payment plans for those who would like to spread payments out over the course of a few months. Pay As You Go clients keep a credit card on file with their Collegewise counselor, who bills them monthly for the time they spend in and out of meetings working with the student on college applications and essays.

How do I get started?

Thanks for asking—we love that question! Click here to get in touch with us, and we’ll reach out to you within two business days to set you up with the Collegewise counselor who’s the best match for your family. At that point, you’ll schedule a free 30-minute introductory meeting, during which you’ll be able to articulate your college admissions concerns and goals, get to know your counselor, and decide if he or she is the right person to help your family moving forward.

Get Started with a FREE 30 Minute College Consultation

A college counselor will contact you within 1-2 business days. We won’t share your information.